contributor

noun

con·​trib·​u·​tor kən-ˈtri-byə-tər 

-bə-,

-ˌbyü-

: someone or something that contributes something or that contributes to something

charitable contributors

… have suggested that the fee would hurt the agriculture industry, a sector they claim is the largest contributor to the state economy.

—Wenonah Hauter

… was illustrated by Oliver Munday, a frequent contributor to the Book Review …

—John Williams

These particles, which are known as black carbon and are the major component of soot, are the second most important contributor to global warming, behind only carbon dioxide, wrote the 31 authors of the study …

—Elisabeth Rosenthal

Examples of contributor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

How To Talk To Your Kids About Divorce, According To Experts By Lexi Lane Contributing Entertainment Writer 0 Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors Dawson's Creek alum Joshua Jackson has been accused of not paying child support to his ex-wife Jodie Turner-Smith. —Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 25 Dec. 2024

Caruso isn't the only reason why the Thunder boast such a hellacious defense this year, but he's been a major contributor to it. —Bryan Toporek, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024

In addition, Aaron has been a frequent contributor to the NHL Network and The Hockey News, among other outlets. —Aaron Portzline, The Athletic, 24 Dec. 2024

Published: Dec 23, 2024 Blair Braverman (Photo: Shannon Fagan/Getty Images) Blair Braverman Outside contributor Blair Braverman is the author, most recently, of ‘Small Game’ and ‘Dogs on the Trail’ and lives in northern Wisconsin. —Blair Braverman, Outside Online, 23 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English contributour "person who pays a tax or assessment," borrowed from Anglo-French, "one who pays a share of a tax or fine," from Latin contribūt-, past participle stem of Latin contribuere "to give as a portion or share" + -our -or entry 1 — more at contribute

First Known Use

circa 1531, in the meaning defined above